In fact, one leading analyst has calculated that Republican dominance of the government explains about 90 percent of the increases in weapons outlays over the last 50 years, making partisan control a much more powerful predictor of demand than threats, deficits or public opinion.
Research conducted by Ron Epstein of Merrill Lynch Bank of America has found that Republican control of the White House and Senate has been the single strongest predictor of rising weapons outlays over the past 50 years (Epstein says political control is a more reliable indicator than threats).